College Station, Texas – The Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) have announced the creation of the new SEDS-USA Endowment Fund, and revealed $30,000 of initial pledges. The Endowment Fund will support the day-to-day activities of SEDS-USA and national projects run by students across the United States. Since the organization was founded by Todd Hawley, Peter Diamandis, and Bob Richards in 1981, SEDS has played a lead role in organizing and inspiring today’s students to promote the exploration and development of space and become the next generation of leaders in the space industry.
The Endowment Fund was created with the signing of the Endowment Trust Agreement by SEDS Co-Founder Bob Richards, who was on hand after speaking to students at the SEDS SpaceVision Conference earlier in the day. “This is a historic moment for SEDS,” said Richards. “The endowment will help SEDS continue for decades to come as the world’s pre-eminent student-run space organization supporting our transition to a space-faring species.”
With the instatement of the SEDS Endowment Fund, the organization will have access to a significant, stable source of funding. The launch of the fund served to kick off a national fundraising drive, with the goal of raising $300,000 by the annual SEDS Space Vision Conference in November 2011, when SEDS will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of its founding. The Family Legacy Trust Company of Dallas, Texas has agreed to administer the fund under the approval of the new SEDS Board of Trustees, whose initial members included SEDS co-founders Peter Diamandis and Bob Richards, SEDS Alumni John Gedmark and Will Pomerantz, and SEDS donor Elon Musk.
“Since the founding of SEDS over 25 years ago, creating an Endowment is the most critical step in ensuring the organization’s strength, growth and endurance in the future. I am proud to be a contributor and hope many others will help at this pivotal moment in the organization’s history. Every dollar or Euro helps!” -Peter H. Diamandis, SEDS Founder
Parties interested in helping to secure the future of exploration and development of space via today’s students by becoming a donor for the Endowment Fund should contact Ryan McLinko, SEDS Vice-Chair, at (704) 609-7416, mclinkor@gmail.com.
SEDS is an independent, student-run organization that promotes the exploration and development of space. SEDS pursues this mission through education programs, by supporting a network of interested students, by providing an opportunity for members to develop their leadership skills, and by inspiring people through involvement in space-related projects. SEDS believes in a space-faring civilization and that focusing the enthusiasm of students is the key to humankind’s future in space.
